United Church of Christ of Seneca Valley

From Bread and Cup to Faith and Giving

Stewardship Campaign November 2022

Dear Church Family,

We want to begin by saying thank you! Amid constant change imposed upon us by a global pandemic and learning how to “be church” in a variety of ways we might never have expected, you have responded to God’s invitation. You have attended services on zoom or in-person wearing your mask and generously given your money, time, effort, prayers and love to your church and its members. The church has used some of its savings and taken a line of credit to purchase the AV equipment needed to provide hybrid services. The past few years have been exhausting and trying for all of us. UCCSV has been a steadfast spiritual home, and its congregation has been an example of the love and compassion that Jesus teaches us.

Other ways that you have answered God’s call include donations to the Little Personal Care Pantry. This ministry, which provides much needed personal care items to neighbors in need, shows your commitment to our church’s mission. Contributions to the Upper Montgomery County Network, Germantown Help and Fox Chapel Elementary School are some of the other ways that we are transforming lives while we are being transformed by the love of God at the same time. We are discerning what it means to be a community that is welcome at the Table, thinking deeply about the invitations that God has placed before us to be generous with all our resources! And we all know that God’s work is never done!

Our Stewardship emphasis theme this year From Bread and Cup to Faith and Giving, encourages us to take time to consider what we receive at the Lord’s Table and to be intentional about the decisions we make with our resources and gifts. God is working through us and the things we do to accomplish positive change in the world. When you make a pledge, you are deciding to give something away that you might use for something else, and your gifts become ministry and mission. Did you know that a new or increased $5 gift per week could help stock the pantry, $10 per week could purchase school supplies for elementary children or purchase music for our awesome new Music Director Dr. Jesse Leong, $15 per week could sponsor a community Easter Egg Hunt, $20 per week could help sponsor community forums? A little can go a long way!

As a congregation, we are entering a time of discerning what we will contribute monetarily to in 2023. The practice of exercising financial stewardship is a spiritual discipline and a way to grow our faith. There is joy in practicing generosity, and it begins with a simple step of a commitment to contribute. We hope you will see this as an opportunity to make or continue your commitment to our wonderful church – one that can change you, and the world!

We pray that you will join us in worship during the remaining weeks of our reflection on what it means to move From Bread and Cup to Faith and Giving and that you will be present for Consecration Sunday on November 13. Your response to this invitation and the gifts that we all bring will make good things happen. Thank you for being a part of it! On the back of this letter is a giving chart supplied for informational purposes. You are a child of God and an instrument for God’s work!

Blessings to you and your thoughtful discernment,

Deb Anderson, Chair of UCCSV Stewardship Committee 

The chart below is supplied for informational purposes to aid in the decision you and your family make for your pledge for 2023.

On average, Americans give 2% of their income to charity. Giving even 1% more of annual

income to charity would be transformative for our congregation and other organizations doing

good in our community.

To pledge online please use our online pledge card by clicking HERE. 

Online Pledge Card: https://forms.gle/o8uxmo6cCbJoDXo17